The June Cut: This month’s whisky industry news
Our monthly news roundup for June brings with it Pride initiatives, allyship and inclusivity panels, new leadership roles for women, a collaboration with the Women’s Euros, and more.
Happy Pride Month! It’s been another busy month for whisky and we’ve been thinking about how brands and businesses can meaningfully support the LGBTQIA+ community. So, we asked our OurWhisky Foundation Community what would be a meaningful way of celebrating Pride in the whisky world: 45% said more inclusive storytelling, 40% want to see LGBTQIA+ whiskymakers spotlighted, 9% asked for more limited edition releases, and 4% opted for LGBTQIA+-led tastings.
In this month’s news roundup, we’ve highlighted some of the ways in which whisky has shown up, but as ever, so much more meaningful work can be done - not just in June, but all year round. We want to showcase those who are doing good DEI work in their companies, so if your business is doing good things, drop us an email – we will be publishing the results soon.
There have been some other interesting news stories this month, from the two women now chairing the Ardbeg Committee, a new MD for The Whisky Exchange, a new inclusive whisky club in Canada, panel talks on allyship and a fun collaboration with women’s football. Enjoy!
Got some news you’d like us to include in our next roundup? Get in touch here.
Ardbeg Committee welcomes two new leaders and says goodbye to a legend
The Ardbeg Committee has named master blender Gillian Macdonald and visitor centre planner Bryony McNiven as its new chairwomen. The first pair of Chairs in the Committee’s 25-year history, the duo will lead the 200,000 enthusiastic members over 130 countries who all share a love for the Islay whisky brand and protect its future.
Macdonald said of her new position: “In my role as Ardbeg’s master blender, some of my favourite moments have been creating Committee releases and letting them loose on the people whose opinion really matters… I’m excited to bring the fans and the drams even closer together.”
McNiven added: “As Committee chair, I can’t wait to pick up where Jackie has left off – sharing good drams, spreading the Ardbeg love and having fun!”
Macdonald and McNiven take over from Jackie Thomson, who is not only handing over her chair baton, but is also departing Ardbeg after a 27-year tenure as distillery centre manager.
Reflecting on her time at Ardbeg, Thomson said: “My mind is a-buzz with so many fantastic memories. From the outlandish costumes I’ve donned for Ardbeg Day to the musical extravaganzas we have hosted. We’ve survived power cuts, madcap experiments and a global pandemic. We have welcomed wedding parties, film crews and many Committee Members who have made the pilgrimage to Islay. It’s been a peaty privilege to get to know them all.”
Dram Fine team launch inclusive Pour Decisions whisky club
OurWhisky Foundation Acorns Pamela Dobbin and Chelsea Belec have this month launched the Pour Decisions Association, a new whisky club creating space for women and LGBTQ2IA+ in Edmonton, Canada.
Launched during Pride month to ‘send a clear message: whisky is for everyone’, the Pour Decisions Association is Edmonton’s first whisky club designed as a dedicated safe space for women and LGBTQ2IA+ to enjoy and learn about whisky.
It launches today, 30th June with a Whisky 101 event at EVO, inviting guests to learn how to taste, discuss and enjoy whisky on their own terms.
Dobbin and Belec also recently welcomed fellow Acorn Cassidy Petryshyn to their Dram Fine podcast team, alongside Scottish performing artist, Fiona McNeill.
Mentee moves, panel talks and recognition for women in whisky
It’s been a busy month for our team and mentees (otherwise known as Acorns). Acorn Grace Powell has moved on from her role as business development manager at Whyte & Mackay to join Remy Cointreau in the same role; while Heather Storgaard, freelance writer and researcher, has been named in Harpers’ annual ‘30 Under 30’ list which celebrates young people who are shaping the wine and spirits industry.
Another Acorn, freelance content creator Moa Reynolds, took part in a ‘Women of Whisky’ panel at this year’s Borders Book Festival alongside whisky consultant Karen Somerville and Keebles Cask Co. operations director Rachel Dixon-Keeble.
American Whiskey Magazine editor Phoebe Calver moderated a panel at SXSW London on the The Spirit of Women film, with master Bourbon taster Peggy Noe Stevens, Maker’s Mark ambassador Charlotte Pederson, and the film’s director Leigha Kingsley.
OurWhisky Foundation founder Becky Paskin joined Equal Measures for its ‘Ally as a verb: How to be an active ally in the drinks industry’ talk (pictured), alongside executive director Vicky Ilankovan, Cocktail Trading Company GM Tris Carvahlo, and Discarded Spirits global brand ambassador Sam Trevethyen.
Natalie Tennent joins The Whisky Exchange as managing director
From Monday 7 July, Natalie Tennent will be joining The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Brands and Whisky.Auction as managing director.
She joins the Pernod Ricard-owned company after 30 years at Berry Bros & Rudd, most recently as chief commercial officer. There, she drove the international expansion of the business, and developed a wide range of experiences for its consumers worldwide.
Speaking on the new appointment, Nicolas Oudinot, CEO of the direct-to-consumer business unit of Pernod Ricard, said: “We are delighted to have Natalie on board. With her extensive experience in international business development of fine wines and spirits, I am confident that she will successfully lead the company on its journey to becoming the global destination for connoisseurs and enthusiasts of fine spirits.”
Whisky Pride initiatives support the LGBTQIA+ community
To celebrate Pride month, multiple brands and businesses have been showing their support with tastings, releases and events.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society themed their monthly whisky selection (pictured) using whiskies that match the Pride flag: Clydeside 2023 Limited Edition (red), Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old (orange), Craigellachie 13 Years Old (yellow), Kilchoman Batch Strength (green), The Guard Bridge (blue), and Glencadam 17 Year Old PX Sherry Quarter Cask Finish (violet).
On Monday 23 June, Women’s+ Whisky Night held a charity auction in support of Not a Phase, an organisation that supports and uplifts the lives of trans adults in the UK. Held at London’s Diageo HQ, the event saw guests enjoy drams from Bushmills, Royal Brackla, The Singleton and Stauning, before bidding on bottles from Bruichladdich, Glenfiddich, Nc’Nean, Berry Bros & Rudd, Compass Box and Nikka. The evening ended with drams and a disco, and most importantly raised £1.7k, increased to £3.2k with company backing. Shout out to Women’s+ Whisky Night founders Charlotte Barker and Thea Day for spearheading this brilliant initiative.
Numerous brands also changed their packaging to mark the month, such as Sierra Norte Mexican whiskey and Fierce & Kind Straight (Gay) Bourbon (which is donating 25% of the profits from Pride bottle sales to The San Diego LGBT Community Center).
Jameson Irish Whiskey celebrates The Women’s Euros 2025
Jameson has once again teamed up with Lover’s F.C. and the inclusive five and seven a-side football community organisation, The Goalposts League, to design a selection of kits to celebrate the summer of women’s football ahead.
The first shirt in the new collection is a fusion of 2000s nostalgia featuring a Jameson green-based and orange perimeter template, with subtle Celtic designs throughout. Next is a homage to the German Women’s Euros winning team of 2005, who wore one of the first specifically designed female-fitting football shirts. Rounding out the collection is a nod to the England teams with a classic floral rose watermark imbued on a white backdrop with the iconic St George’s Cross on each shoulder.
Julia Massies, managing director for Pernod Ricard UK, said of the collaboration: “Jameson has fully embedded itself within the world of football, from its long-standing partnership with the English Football League, to its past campaigns supporting grassroots women’s football with both The Goalposts League and Lovers F.C. Everything we do is reflective of what the sport ultimately represents, community. It was a pleasure to collaborate once again and shine a light on the talent within female sport.”
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